Posts Tagged ‘collin klein’

I’ll do a proper post on all draftable quarterbacks in the coming weeks, but for now Roy Cummings lists a few that he thinks have potential to be Josh Freeman‘s competition in 2013 that could be had on the second or third days. I’ve already explained the reasons why this is bogus competition, but since he went to all the trouble of writing it, let’s just pretend there’s a real possibility that some mid-round rookie could oust Freeman.

As the draft is being projected now, there is a chance experienced prospects from big-time programs such as Landry Jones of Oklahoma and E.J. Manuel of Florida State could be available.

Enticing prospects such as Zac Dysert (Miami of Ohio) or Colin Klein (Kansas State) should be there for the taking in the middle rounds, as well. And if juniors Tyler Bray (Tennessee), Aaron Murray (Plant High and Georgia) and Keith Price (Washington) opt in, the Bucs could have a shot at one of them as well.

Jones is experienced but has flawed mechanics and has only played out of the shotgun. He’s still kind of raw for being a four-year starter. Manuel is a better physical specimen and is fundamentally better than Jones, but makes questionable decisions. Klein is actually pretty good. He’s a good athlete with a decent arm and no flaws that can’t be coached away. I’ve already covered Bray, who has the best arm of the bunch but makes some boneheaded decisions and is kind of a douche. Murray may be the best overall quarterback here and with the success of 5-11 Russell Wilson, everyone is going to get hot on Murray who is 6-0. But there’s a reason why most good quarterbacks are tall. Still, he has good SEC experience and has had success. [Update: turns out Murray is staying at Georgia for his senior year.] Price is a tough kid who sometimes overthrows his receivers by a good mile and should just stay the fuck in school. And if you’ve ever heard of Dysert, congratulations, you have bedsores.

We’ll see if the combine makes any of these quarterbacks stand out any more, but if a team takes any of these kids besides Murray in the second round, they’re reaching. The Bucs need too much elite talent at other positions to consider taking a quarterback before the third, and even that’s stretching it if you ask me. People are going to point to Wilson as an example of how, with the right scouting, you can get a good quarterback in the mid rounds and play him early and go to the playoffs. But for every Wilson, there are a couple Colt McCoys and Jimmy Clausens who will bend your team over and fuck it with a conch shell if you turn your team over to them. And hey, if the Bucs go ahead and take the flyer on one of these guys, fine. Mark Dominik has my vote of confidence, so if he thinks one of them is worth it, I’m behind him. But let’s not set this up as a competition for Freeman. Just get the best quarterback coach possible and mold Freeman into what we know he can be.

On a totally different note, did you know Ron Cooper is still employed?